After lengthy renovations to his home studio, Maraza is not just back in business but he is back WITH music. Lots of it at that as he drops 3 new EP's for the streets. Where does homie find the time for such massive work all at once? He's too much with the work ethic.
I tried not to choose a favourite but I think I like iSpillion EP the most. It's a perfect bridge of "old Maraza" and his evolution to what we're hearing today. Essentially, the EP title is very fitting as Maraza has garnered so much music experience over the years leading up to his commercial success right now. iSpillion has Maraza's characteristic afro-storytelling magic embedded in it with fusions of his lethal emcee. He merges his worlds of unapologetic Zulu pride with his "I'll murder you in a cypher" type raps on this project. My favourites are Yayo and Thando Lwakho. However, Maraza refuses to close this project without some food for thought so he throws in Sicks to address his upbringing, family troubles and imposing industry talk about his relationship with Emtee. It's so beautiful how honest he is on this track and the following one titled Faith. It's so crazy how fans sometimes seem to forget that our faves are human and when they let you into their pain through music you feel like they are just like you. Maraza does this very well here.
The second EP is Bhebhe (which I'll admit to not knowing what it means) and its sound is much more rooted in the traditional influence. As much as iSpillion has that same vibe, Bhebhe dips all the way into rural Kwa-Zulu Natal with Maraza channeling his Zulu boy pride with precision. This project reminds you just who Maraza is in case you tend to forget where he comes from. My favourite is the heart wrecking Gazi Lika Manziwa which tells the sad tale of a lost child. That's not the only highlight of this project as the additions of voices like Mashayabhuqe and Imikhonto bring out so much magic alongside Maraza's musical genius. The MaMhlongo interlude and Boya Behlwathi skit are quite cheeky and mad hilarious which sends the EP off very well. This man is such a gem.
The last EP titled Off-Cuts is a bit more familiar with songs that he has previously dropped on here. It opens with We On with Lastee, and is followed by Ball which was part of his Triple Threat Toni drop. He then adds the vibey Nix Mapha which he dropped shortly after Gwan's massive success. There is one track that you might not be too familiar with, although he did drop it as well ahead of his BLIND album drop, this is Never Be The Same x Guy Like Me Interlude. Despite the fact that you know these songs on here including Black Skin, you can't help but marvel at Maraza's artistry. We appreciate him and once you're done listening to these EP's, make sure to send him some good vibrations.
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